Are GLP-1 medications really changing what I see in the grocery store?

Yes, there is solid data showing that households with GLP-1 users spend less overall on groceries and especially on snacks, while buying a bit more yogurt, fruit and similar items. That is why you are seeing more high-protein frozen meals, “GLP-1 friendly” labels and smaller, portion-controlled options. What this means for you: You can expect even more products designed for smaller appetites, and you get to decide which ones actually fit your goals.

Will GLP-1s kill the restaurant industry?

Probably not, but they are already nudging restaurants to adapt. Data shows people on GLP-1s eat out a bit less and order lighter options, which pressures chains to offer more salads, grilled proteins and smaller portions. Some restaurants may feel margin pressure, especially if they relied heavily on desserts, alcohol or oversized meals. What this means for you: You will likely get more menu choices that fit life on a GLP-1, not fewer.

Are GLP-1s making gyms less important?

If anything, they are making resistance training more important. GLP-1 users are being guided to lift weights and build muscle to avoid losing strength, and gyms are building specific programs and coaching around that. Some clubs are even opening clinics that can prescribe GLP-1 meds and then tie that to training plans. What this means for you: Expect more “GLP-1 aware” training options, and consider that a plus if you care about more than just the scale.

How do GLP-1s affect my choice of telehealth provider?

GLP-1s do not all work the same, they are not all covered the same and compounded versions are not FDA approved, which means your provider choice matters a lot. When you compare GLP-1 providers on GLP Winner, you can see which drugs they prescribe, how they price care, what support they offer and whether they rely on compounded medications, so you are not guessing. What this means for you: A good fit provider is more than a prescription; it is someone aligned with your budget, your health goals and your day-to-day life.

Are compounded GLP-1 medications part of these trends?

Compounded GLP-1s are sometimes used when there are shortages or specific clinical needs, but they are not FDA approved and should not be treated as equivalent to branded drugs. Most of the big data on consumer spending and industry change is based on FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs, not compounded versions. What this means for you: If a provider is offering compounded GLP-1s, ask clear questions about why, how they source them and what alternatives exist.

How GLP-1 Use Is Shaping Food and Consumer Trends | GLP Winner | GLP Winner

GLP-1 medications are now common enough that they are changing what shows up in grocery aisles, on restaurant menus, in gyms and even in your closet, as companies quietly adapt to people eating less, choosing different foods and rethinking how they spend their money and time.

Quick note before we dive in

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound are prescription drugs used for conditions like type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, not lifestyle products you can just pick up without a prescription. This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Always talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation.

How many people are actually using GLP-1s?

National polling finds about 1 in 8 U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1 drug, and around 6% said they were currently using one as of mid-2024 (KFF).

More recent KFF data from 2025 suggests that about 12% of adults are now currently taking a GLP-1, and roughly 18% have ever used one, with highest use in adults aged 50 to 64 (KFF).

A separate survey from RAND in 2025 also lands at about 12% of adults having used a GLP-1, with a big share saying they are interested but have not been able to start yet (RAND).

Experts now list “GLP-1 expansion” as the top health trend for 2026, and Advisory Board notes that around one in five adults report having used a GLP-1 at some point in newer data (Advisory Board).

GLP Winner exists in the middle of this shift: our comparison tools help you see which providers prescribe FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, how much they cost, and whether they take HSA or FSA so you can make a plan that matches both your health goals and your budget.

What this means for you:

You are not imagining it if GLP-1s seem to be everywhere, and that scale of use is big enough that your grocery store, favorite restaurant and gym are starting to react.

Grocery carts: fewer snacks, more yogurt and produce

A large 2025 Cornell study matched real purchase data from about 150,000 households with survey data on GLP-1 use, which gives us one of the clearest pictures of how carts change after people start these meds (Cornell Chronicle).

Here is what they found within six months of starting a GLP-1:

Grocery spending fell by about 5.3% overall, and by more than 8% in higher income households
Spending on fast food, coffee shops and other limited-service restaurants dropped about 8%
Snack categories were hit hardest
- Savory snacks down about 10–11%
- Sweets, baked goods and cookies also saw large declines
A few categories went up
- Yogurt
- Fresh fruit
- Nutrition bars
- Meat snacks

Grocery Dive, summarizing this research and market data, reports that households with GLP-1 users cut grocery spending roughly 6% and spent 11% less on savory snacks, while analysts expect 3% lower long-term demand for categories like soda, baked goods and salty snacks (Grocery Dive).

Brands are reacting in very literal ways:

Nestlé launched a frozen meal line called Vital Pursuit with higher protein and fiber, designed to appeal to GLP-1 users
Conagra started adding “GLP-1 friendly” labels to some Healthy Choice meals
Retailers are testing smaller, portion-controlled meals and clearer protein and fiber callouts for people with smaller appetites (Grocery Dive).

The Washington Post, drawing on multiple data sets, found that GLP-1 users increased spending on fresh fruit by 14% and vegetables by 38%, while purchases of chips, baked goods and packaged cookies fell 6.7–11% in the first six months on treatment (The Washington Post).

Some big retailers are publicly acknowledging the shift. Walmart executives have said that customers who pick up GLP-1 prescriptions at their pharmacies are buying “a bit less food,” especially in snacks and other processed categories (AOL).

On GLP Winner, you can filter telehealth providers by whether they offer nutrition coaching or education, so if your appetite and grocery habits change, you can choose a team that actually helps you build a sustainable eating pattern, not just hand you a prescription.

What this means for you:

You will likely see more high-protein, high-fiber, “GLP-1 friendly” frozen meals, smaller portions and heavier emphasis on produce at the store, and that is directly tied to how people on GLP-1s are spending their money.

Restaurants and fast food: smaller portions, more protein

The same Cornell-Numerator data found that households on GLP-1s cut spending at limited-service restaurants and coffee shops by about 8% within the first six months (Cornell Chronicle).

The Washington Post reports that GLP-1 users are changing how they visit fast-food chains:

Dinner visits dropped about 6%
Late-night trips fell off
People are ordering more salads and chicken entrées instead of pizza and heavy fried options (The Washington Post).

To respond, some chains are:

Testing “high-protein” or “GLP-1 friendly” menu tags
Introducing snack boards and smaller plates at lower prices
Adding more grilled, baked and veggie-heavy options because customers simply cannot handle huge portions anymore

Food and beverage companies see the writing on the wall. Morgan Stanley has projected a 1–2% annual reduction in per-capita calorie intake over the next decade if GLP-1 use continues to scale, which would be a major shift for restaurants that rely on large, high-margin portions (Husqvarna Water summary of Morgan Stanley analysis).

What this means for you:

Menu boards will tilt more toward protein, fiber and “lighter” options, and you may see more half-portion deals and smaller combo meals as restaurants adjust to the fact that many customers physically cannot or do not want to eat as much.

Gyms, strength training and gadgets

There is a concern that if people eat less without adjusting their workouts, they might lose muscle along with fat. That fear is showing up in how gyms and fitness brands position themselves.

The Washington Post notes:

GLP-1 users are being encouraged to lift weights and do resistance training to protect muscle
Sales of wearable electronics for this group rose about 29% over six months
Some gyms are tailoring programs specifically for GLP-1 users (The Washington Post).

Examples include:

Equinox building a “GLP-1 protocol” with coaches focused on training and lifestyle for members on these medications
Planet Fitness publishing GLP-1-oriented workout guides for their members online
Life Time opening in-club health clinics where doctors and trainers work together and can prescribe GLP-1s while supporting movement plans (The Washington Post).

A multi-sector report from Teneo highlights this same pattern: employers, gyms and digital health startups see GLP-1s as a trigger to invest more in integrated wellness services rather than pure “dieting” (Teneo).

What this means for you:

You may see more GLP-1-specific workout plans, bundled gym plus clinic offerings and heavier marketing around strength training, not just cardio or “burning calories”.

Closets, thrifting and fashion

When people lose a lot of weight, they often change clothing sizes more than once. Weight on GLP-1s can also rebound if the medication is stopped, so some people cycle through sizes in both directions.

Retail and fashion analysts are already mapping this out. The Robin Report, citing GlobalData surveys and other market research, notes:

Thrifting and resale are growing faster than new fashion sales and are projected to reach $350 billion globally by 2028, with the U.S. market hitting $73 billion (The Robin Report).
58% of U.S. consumers bought clothing secondhand in 2024 in one survey
Clothing rental platforms report more demand for smaller sizes as users rapidly downsize wardrobes
Some people keep two wardrobes at once while their weight is in flux

The Washington Post also reports that GLP-1 users are spending more on new wardrobes, especially formalwear and outfits for events, as their bodies change and confidence rises (The Washington Post).

What this means for you:

Expect more flexible sizing, tailoring services, thrifting options and rental choices, and do not be surprised if fashion brands start speaking directly to people whose bodies are changing on GLP-1s.

Travel, fun and “experience” spending

Money does not just leave the snack aisle and vanish. Many GLP-1 users redirect some of it toward experiences.

The Washington Post, using data from PwC and other firms, highlights:

A 15% increase in GLP-1 users who report a more positive body image
Rising interest in active vacations, like hiking or walking-heavy trips, and wellness-focused hotels
Hotels upgrading gyms and wellness amenities to attract health-focused travelers
Analysts warning that some sectors, like casinos, could lose revenue if GLP-1s reduce impulsive behaviors (The Washington Post).

Teneo’s report on multi-sector impacts also points out that entertainment, travel and leisure businesses are paying attention to GLP-1 adoption trends when planning products and capacity (Teneo).

What this means for you:

You may see more “healthy getaway” offers, gyms inside hotels that actually matter and less emphasis on all-you-can-eat buffets and heavy drinking, especially in wellness-branded travel.

How to be a smarter GLP-1 consumer while the world adjusts

A few practical points as all of this evolves:

Remember GLP-1s are prescription medications. Drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound are FDA-approved for specific uses like type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, not general “wellness.”
Compounded GLP-1 medications may be offered by some telehealth providers when there are drug shortages or specific clinical needs, but compounded versions are not FDA approved and their safety and effectiveness are not established the same way as branded drugs (FDA).
Marketing will chase this trend. You will see “GLP-1 friendly” labels, shakes, supplements and wellness programs that sound scientific but may not be backed by strong evidence.
Costs and coverage still matter. Many GLP-1 users report that affording these medications is hard, even with insurance, in KFF polls (KFF).

GLP Winner’s whole point is to give you transparent provider comparisons, pricing, and clear labeling for things like HSA/FSA eligibility and whether a provider uses FDA-approved or compounded options so you can make decisions based on facts, not vibes.

What this means for you:

You do not have to chase every new “GLP-1 friendly” product, but you can absolutely use these shifts to your advantage by choosing providers, foods and services that make your life easier rather than more confusing.

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How GLP-1 Use Is Shaping Our World

Quick note before we dive in

How many people are actually using GLP-1s?

Grocery carts: fewer snacks, more yogurt and produce

Restaurants and fast food: smaller portions, more protein

Gyms, strength training and gadgets

Closets, thrifting and fashion

Travel, fun and “experience” spending

How to be a smarter GLP-1 consumer while the world adjusts

Sources

Keep Reading

GLP-1s and Exercise: How to Build Muscle While Losing Weight

What Foods Can Amplify or Ease Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications

What’s Actually Changing for GLP-1s in 2026 (and What Isn’t)

How Do I Know If I Qualify for a GLP-1 Prescription?

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